Package-selling system.



J. A. STROMBERG.

PACKAGE SELLING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. H, 1915.

1,21 1 Patented Jan. 9,1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

W/TNE 5555 gr; $427M ATTUP/VE Y5,

.I. A. STROMBERG.

PACKAGE SELLING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 11, 1915.

7 1 P T 9n w as m M Ms M P WNW/5555 JOHN A. STROMIBERG, OF ESCANAIBA, MICHIGAN.

PACKAGE-SELLING SYSTEM.

\ To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN A. STROMBERG, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Escanaba,in the county of Delta, and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Package-Selling Systems, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

My invention has relation to improve-' ments in package selling systems.

Long and tedious work is necessarily involved in doing up and filling orders by grocers, and other merchants, of packaged goods, and particularly the filling of orders by grocers of such goods as dried fruit, canned goods, cereals, extracts, etc.

It is the primary object of my invention to provide a system whereby the work in doing up orders is rendered quicker and less expensive than the methods now in vogue, and the labor in connection therewith reduced to the minimum, the improved system making it possible to accomplish with one man, the work which has heretofore necessarily involved the labor of at least ten men,

if not more.

In carrying out the system it is the intention to erect a special structure constituting an addition to the building where a grocery or other store is operated, and this addition or extra structure is fitted with the machinery for effecting the quick filling of orders.

With the above primary object, and other incidental objects, in view, the invention consists of the devices and parts, or the equivalents thereof, as hereinafter more fully set forth. 7

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of a fragment of the extra or additional structure equipped with the improvements; Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 2.2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 lookingin the direction of the arrow; Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow, and showing on an enlarged scale a fragment of the package ejecting mechanism, one of the coiled retrieving springs 38 of one of the package ejecting mechanisms being omitted; Fig; is a horizontal section Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 191 7.

Application filed March 11, 1915. Serial No. 13,660.

on the line 55 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow, and showing particularly a number of pull rods or keys and their connections for operating the package ejecting mechanism; Fig. 6 is a section on the plane indicated by the dotted lines 66 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow; and Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2.

The structure in connection with which the mechanism is employed is provided with a central portion formed by a wall 8 extending centrically and vertically of the structure, and preferably'of cylindrical form in cross section. The lower part of this central portion is in the form ,of a room or compartment 9, being provided with a ceiling 10. This room or compartment provides a convenient space for an operator, and from this room or compartment the operator has ready access to the operating pull rods or keys, and also access to the packages which are delivered into said compartment.

Surrounding the wall 8 of the building is another wall 11, spaced a desired distance from the wall 8, and being also preferably of cylindrical form in cross section. The space between the two walls 8 and 11 is divided into a series of sections or circular compartments 12 by means of floors 13. In the drawings I have shown a plurality of these sections or compartments 12 arranged vertically one above the other. It will of course be understood that the number of these sections or compartments will depend upon the height of the building.

Surrounding the wall 11, and spaced 2.

suitable distance therefrom, is another Wall 14, also preferably of cylindrical form in cross section. The space between this wall 14 and the wall 11 is sub-divided, by a series of horizontal partitions 15, into separate pockets or spaces 16 for containing the packages 17.. These pockets, however, could be formed in any other desirable manner, the only essential being that pockets be provided for containing the packages. Surrounding the wall 14 is an outer inclosing wall 18, also preferably of cylindrical form, and the space 19 between this wall 18 and wall 14 is utilized for the accommodation of the package ejecting mechanism.

The package ejecting mechanism is operated by pull rods or keys 20. The number of pull rods or keys employed is of course dependent upon the number or different vaa ings provided therefo rieti'es of goods the merchant.

w 1ch are ep y Practice has demonstrated thesej ropes go c W i .fib is i. .n

r' in the walls 11 and 14; ibwwtharullw earrie ii ei e' s xtend n fr mithe; ou er sideo iw ste d n ardlyg remst i ner 1.

of t s e 3 3 3 e c n e ging-s ims 2 h t r nner c rg d ends easy a 7'25 (se n-P i ar y F 45).- Each .ofsaid bearings; 251-25 has j ournaled lherein a shaft 26., The opposite ends oi e'aclr got-these shafts which extend beyond the. bearings have fixedly nountedfthereon drumsfllf T- E c p 3 n ab con..-

nected toa pull rod or key 2Q after pa ssing beneath the pulley 23; istextended upwardly and wound seyeral and connect d-to sai'd clrul n, a amas ha -also monfie e c t e on and tra ly h r of, ee the b a i 25*2 1 Pi i 8- B n th-sas Pin a d-sh v n ts teeth engagedggby each-pinion,- a racli 3;: bar 29 slidablejh a suitable hearingq 0 I guided by a short guide C nnected to themner end of each roach barso' as to be caused to: be moved longit\ 1 di ytby 1, ak b s n tm r 14 ger '31. 1 The mner end of eachplungervis a tube 3 JIM-We l lihas- -m1 er0 penin 3im1in wi h the bore .-;the; uides fifltsaid pe n P r i i of he Mer ers-be n lm d; t u thez ll ,1- dt n on he g ges t e low nmestp c n each @011 pa m awal tl-li si also; prw id da w th a mbe -19f pen n s; 3e Wh h-eren t wi h we in s i'33 e d P r ng t e, p ak;

P u es t e d in t fspas zta gd finall i t t e-s i e 35 wh h irqles nounde n; aid sp r In? chute, as clearl h W11 in the mwi g p ef r bly; spir a i d gtrsns .-a een all; 8tinrt spa ssm A c n ne be een said} a lg ndzth'e wa l; an th lewerr nf of said chute terminatesin agdischarge-spout hemqut o which ext nd ug an opening 37-;in the;;wa1l 8, and is consequently p dapted to {discharge inl thez lowerroomdor compartment Any other desirabletforrn omeyee h wev r, ay..he;;$ b$ti11 ed-.

The inner ends of these ie .Q ra k ges; w h a x n gym-{P turns around; drum" ,2?

y eyed for retrieving each plunger after it has been a preferred means which is operated 'the rotation of drum 27'. This pre: d means for each ejecting mechanism were coiled spring 38 hitting {sinn, wqfiliwhxlmto the wall 14:, and its J 2, sateen. a compartment can place within a p oehetga Pocket 16 iii?! 1! d- 1" The Per/ QnQ-jSe IQbkQ 9- fillr a pp lae wi h z e r-pes fs byrp ne -tbs sa dipac a e h h; n R nin 'iiQiQrm aI-in.th iw ll,atepoin ne ri he Q-P ef-hthe e artmentslT p i-"e le h mec n m wi ow' be described. It will be seen thatpthe lower pac' p rti ul t rests e he. fl e? e e i t giw t tieni15- mallyathePo n o zha-p n s Yard asflshownlfor instance, by} the; Po it-ths}r l li e sinf g- 1i; wtt 1111:. r d some;pa c ar Jackass .pqcka .zr l i utw d y,fjp xa ni1ether drd a i war in p t rw fiL- 1: 96 1 0 st bl .22 i jj n llnd ro t s-d i li 2 and tune same timethe cord 39 which is vaFis e t spr .3 .wsmfid 1 190 dr m; 27mm ar coiled .spfi i i3 ir xa b nded-1." h ii w ndingl f e v-c bl 221mm an 2fl' jilss g afl it on of i h s outward or toward-the left, 5 and this nee 'ssarily: eas s a 'rotation' of pinion: 28 i thesame dir'ectioriQand aniovenient of rack 1; bar, 29 ,and,,its gattach ed plunger 31in= the spleen; i' e mi inwa dl T e Pl g'l in n i nwa d y P s s hro h 0Pflen ,.33le d l. ge' n$ zillowe' f package 17; forcing said package through opening-3i and int .chute\3 5'.Q I Fig. 1 si Lth I ra i s a P ckag s. shqwnrasins avin b en i da io h 'c fi he lowermost package containing; pocket The packag afteri beingfthus' pushedflint the 'hl eik I. a a gravity; and finally outof the. spout -36. into bpm 9, from a w po t the. Pa ge can bere d-ov.ei for deliv ry mt ws qmee fib b' kf asythus been oi d 11 m. n the'} chute,f thef pull on the un; rod is 1 disa 12b has: beenfin an expanded condition fst'a'rts to contra t,andtliisfcontraction causes an'unindin Wa d 3? ri med 9 3 ,dow'n through'kthe chuteEfhy v winding of rope or cable 22 upon drum 27, and in consequence shaft 26 is rotated toward the right, which of course causes pinion 28 to be rotated in the same direct1on,

and the rotation of the pinion toward the right causes a movement of the rack bar toward the left, or outwardly, and consequently the parts are restored to their nor-- successively around the same to provide a plurality of tiers of pockets, ejecting mechanism adjacent each of said pockets, operating mechanism for each ejecting mechanism operable from a common pomt on the interior of said structure, and a continuous conveyer encircling said structure within its outer walls and positioned to receive packages of goods from each of said pockets and deliver the same to a single discharge point.

2. A package selling apparatus, comprising a vertical stationary tubular structure, a series of package holding pockets supported on the wall of said structure and arranged successively and spirally around the same to provide a plurality of tiers of pockets, ejecting mechanism adjacent each of' said pockets, operating mechanism for each e ecting mechanism operable from a common point on the interior of said structure, and a continuous conveyer encircling said structure within its outer walls and positioned to receive packages of goods from each of said pockets and deliver the same to a single discharge point.

3. A package selling apparatus, comprising a vertical stationary tubular structure having horizontal partitions to form a plurality of superposed compartments, a series of package holding pockets supported on the wall of said structure and arranged successively and spirally around the same to provide a plurality of tiers of pockets, ejecting mechanism adjacent each of said pockets, operating mechanism for each ejecting mechanism operable from the interior of the lower compartment, and a continuous conveyer encircling said structure within its outer Walls and positioned to receive packages of goods from each of said pockets and deliver the same to a single discharge point.

4. A package selling apparatus, comprisdrum, the winding, however,

ing a plurality of concentrically disposed stationary vertical walls, a series of package holding pockets having discharge openings and supported between said walls, an e'ecting mechanism adjacent each of said poc ets, operating mechanism for each of said ejecting mechanisms and operable from a common point, and a continuous conveyer cncircling said walls and positioned to receive packages of goods from each of said pockets and deliver the same to a single discharge point.

, 5. In a package selling system, thecombination of a conveyer for delivering packages or parcels of goods to a point of delivery, a pocket for containing superimposed packages or parcels of goods, a plunger arranged in line to act upon the lowermost package or parcel of goods of the pile, a rack bar secured to and extending from the plunger, a rotatable shaft, a pinion mounted fast upon the shaft and engaging the rack bar, a drum mounted fast on the shaft, a pull rod under the control of an operator, a rope or cable connected to the pull rod and also wound about and connected to the drum, and means for retrieving the plunger and pull rod, after a package has been forced into the conveyer.

6. In a package selling system, the combination of a conveyer for delivering packages or parcels of goods to a point of delivery, a pocket for containing superimposed packages or parcels of goods, a plunger arranged in line to act upon the lowermost package or parcel of goods of the pile, a rack bar secured to and extending from the plunger, a rotatable shaft, a pinion mounted fast upon the shaft and engaging the rack bar, drums mounted fast upon opposite endsof the shaft, a pull rod under control of an operator, a rope or cable connected to the pull rod, and also wound about and connected to one of the drums, and a coiled spring connected at one end to a fixed part and having its opposite end connected to a cord, said cord Wound about and connected to the other being'in an opposite direction to the winding of the rope or cable.

7. In a package selling system, the combination of a vertical central wall or casing, the lower portion thereof formed into a room or apartment, a wall surrounding the central wall 7 and spaced a distance therefrom, the space between the two walls being sub-divided into a series of floors arranged one above the other, a conveyer circling around and through the floors or apartments, and adapted to have its discharge end pass through the central wall and enter the lower room or apartment of said end wall, another surrounding wall spaced a desired distance from the next inner wall, the space between said walls being sub-divided into a series of package containing pockets arranged one above the other, a series of plungers each ar-.

ranged in line to act upon the lowermost pac age or parcel of goods of the pile contained within a pocket, a rack bar secured to and extending from each plunger, a series of rotatable shafts each having a pinion mounted fast thereon, and engaging the rack bar adjacent thereto, a drum mounted fast upon each shaft, a series of pull rods under the 10 control of an operator, ropes or cables connected to the pull rods, and wound about and connected to the drums, and means for retrieving the plungers and pull rods, after a package has been forced into the conveyer.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature 15 in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN A. STROMBERG. Witnesses:

C. D. MOEWEN, EMMA G. MOREAU. 

